Because child drug and alcohol abuse can begin at a young age, it’s crucial to talk to your children about the dangers of drugs before they are exposed to them.
Having an honest conversation with your children about drugs and alcohol is an important part of your role as a parent.The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationrecommendsthat you begin talking to your children before they’re exposed to drugs and alcohol.Teen drug usecan start at a young age, so it is important to have a conversation early.Children as young as about 9 years oldcan benefit from their parents talking to them about drugs.
When Kids First Try Drugs
According toteen drug statistics,theaverageage at which teens use marijuana for the first time is 14, and youth can begin using alcohol before turning 12.Researchalso shows that childrenas young as 9start to develop positive feelings about alcohol. Having a conversation about drug and alcohol use around this age can change these positive feelings and help youth to understand the risks of alcohol use.
Kids smokingalso begins at an early age. Statistics show that nearly90%of smokers tried their first cigarette by the time they reached the age of 18, so it is common for smoking to begin in the adolescent years. One study found that the average age at which youth begin smoking is17.9 years, and additional research shows that approximately8%of high schoolers smoked cigarettes in the past month. Electronic cigarette use is also becoming more popular among teens, withdatashowing that about one-fifth ofhigh school studentsare current users of these products.
How to Talk to Kids About Drugs
With teen cigarette, alcohol and marijuana use beginning early, it is important to have a conversation about the dangers of substance abuse with adolescents. If you’re wonderinghow to talk to your kids about drugs,the first step is to plan ahead and determine what you want to say during the conversation. Next, sit down with your child and tell them that you are having a conversation because you care about them and want them to be safe and healthy. It is important to avoid making accusations and allow your child to have an opportunity to speak and ask questions.
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Topics during this conversation can include the effects ofteen drug abuseand therisks of drugsand alcohol. For example, you can discuss with your child that underage drinking islinkedto serious consequences, such as risky sexual activity, suicidal behaviors and alcohol dependence duringadulthood. You can also inform your teen thatresearchshows that drug and alcohol abuse during youth is associated withbrain changesthat can have a negative effect on the way they think and behave as an adult. While these conversations may be difficult, they are important to have becausecommunicationbetween children and parents can significantly reduce teen drug and alcohol use.
